PRC probe, disqualification sought against Ang Mata party-list

Pinoy Aksyon for Governance and Environment (Pinoy Aksyon) sought anew the disqualification of Ang Mata Party-List (Ang Mata) along with an investigation by the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).

In a letter to PRC Chairperson Teofilo Pilando Jr., Pinoy Aksyon convenor BenCy Ellorin asked for an investigation into Ang Mata's eye clinics.

As in their letter to the Department of Health (DOH), Pinoy Aksyon accused Ang Mata and its representative Tricia Nicole Catera of using unaccredited medicines in eye clinics conducted with non-doctors.

"In fact, the Food and Drug Administration has reportedly started a probe on this group's alleged distribution of non-accredited medicines," their letter read.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III confirmed earlier this month that the FDA is looking into Ang Mata's practices.

Pinoy Aksyon also asked for the disqualification of Ang Mata and Catera, whom they accused of "using her office for vanity," from House commission on ethics and privileges chairperson Delphine Gan Lee.

"Ang Mata may be disqualified based on par. 2 of Sec. 6 (Republic Act 7941 or The Party-List System Act) for allegedly advocating unlawful means to seek its goal," they wrote.

Ang Mata was one of 40 party-lists named in 2010 as possibly being used by government officials, police and military officials, and businessmen to win a seat in Congress.

Its representative, Tricia Nicole Velasco-Catera, belongs to a political clan and is the daughter of incumbent Supreme Court justice Presbiterio Velasco. — Rie Takumi/BM, GMA News